Does not apply to items of de minimis value. No lobbyist, subordinate of a lobbyist, or principal shall offer or provide a "thing of value" to a public employee, official or to a family member of the employee or official the same shall not solicit or receive a thing of value from a lobbyist, subordinate of a lobbyist, or principal. No public official or employee shall solicit or receive any money, in addition to that received in an official capacity for advice or assistance on matters concerning the Legislature, lobbying. No person shall offer or give to a public official, employee or a member of their household, and nor shall they solicit or receive anything, for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action, regardless of value. The following table provides summaries of the statutory restrictions, prohibitions, definitions, and exceptions to prohibitions for gifts to legislators in all 50 states, plus D.C., the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. However, a gift conditioned upon a legislator taking a particular course of official action may be improper, regardless of the gift’s value. A gift clearly motivated by personal friendship and unrelated to a legislator’s official position or duties will be exempt from restrictions in most states, as would emergency medical assistance. Plaques, greeting cards, trophies, and other token gifts often are generally exempt from restrictions. The type of gift and circumstances in which it is given may determine a gift’s legality. The range of limits states use may be as low as a few dollars per gift or meal, or as much as a few hundred dollars aggregately per year. Some ethics laws specify the maximum dollar value allowable of a gift, or the aggregate value of gifts that may be given in a year. Gifts from family or close personal friends are commonly exempt from most restrictions. Many states place looser limits on gifts from friends and family than gifts from lobbyists or others with an interest in influencing a legislator. Ethics laws generally restrict gifts to legislators as a means of preventing the possibility that a gift could appear to improperly influence official action.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |